Well, glossing over the first things, I was always one of those people who overachieved through hard work. It never came easy, but I was #3 in my class in high school. It was when I was 16 that I had my first major depressive episode.

I went to college and struggled and fought to get through and likely had a second major depressive episode during that time. Although it was hard to tell given the stress and crazy lack of sleep.

I got out of college and went to work for first an environmental company and then a carbon black company. I "met" my wife then and got married and at around 25 had my 2nd or 3rd major depressive episode that I got through myself.

Went to work at a chemical company with my wife and daughter (stepdaughter, but I hate that term) and we had my oldest son on the way. I had to get therapy again for another major depressive episode. By this time they were getting closer together and would last a few months.

Got laid off and went to work for GE where along came my youngest son (Da Bean) and everything went to hell. Long story short, we had to declare bankruptcy, were homeless for a while, etc.

We got back on our feet and I went into another major depressive episode. It was at this point that they were finally able to diagnose it as major depressive disorder (a recurring pattern of major depressive episodes). At 35, the major depression basically became permanent (which is common for those with major depressive disorder).

I stumbled into this place as somewhere to ramble through what was going on.